The Apostle Paul was haunted by the fear that his efforts to preach the gospel in the city of Thessalonica would prove to be a failure. He had been forced to leave the city before he had the opportunity to ground those he had converted to Christ in the faith. It was not until he received an encouraging report from his fellow-worker Timothy, that he realized that his efforts had not failed. In his first inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Thessalonica he writes in chapter 2, verses 1 an 2, “For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn’t in vain, but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News [that is, the gospel] of God in much conflict.”
This raises an interesting question: What is success, and what is failure? Was suffering and insult and being driven out of Philippi an indication of failure? Was being driven from Thessalonica after a very short time an indication of failure? From man’s point of view, Paul had failed. Paul, himself, feared that this was so. But one of the lessons we can learn from this is that success or failure is not determined by appearances, but by whether we have done God’s will. We need to learn to do what God asks of us and leave the results to Him. The key to success is doing God’s will and not depending on our own strength and abilities. Note that Paul says that he “grew bold” to tell them the gospel. It was because he was in God and working by His strength that Paul could be bold. Relying on our own strength results in defeat and discouragement.
Paul not only relied on God’s strength in proclaiming the gospel, he also followed some very important principles while doing so. In verses 3 through 6 he writes, “For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News [that is, the gospel], so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts. For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others)…”
Paul writes that the exhortation or appeal he made to the Thessalonians was not based on error. In other words, he was not misinformed but knew the facts about what he was saying. There are some who give the gospel a bad name because they don’t know what they are talking about. In another place Paul says about his own countrymen, “…For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10:2) In contrast to this, Paul’s message was not based on ignorance but on true knowledge. Even more importantly, the gospel message itself is true and not error. Through the centuries, many have tried to disprove the gospel. This would be very easy to do if one could show that Jesus did not rise from the dead. But no one can do so because the facts are indisputable.
It is also essential that we not preach the gospel from ‘uncleanness,’ that is, impure motives. Paul did not have a hidden agenda. He did not preach for personal benefit, but for the benefit of those to whom he proclaimed the gospel.
The next principle which Paul mentions is that he did not use deception or trickery. Scripture says that, “…it is impossible for God to lie…” (Hebrews 6:18) yet some people have the idea that they can further God’s Kingdom by means of trickery and lies. God is never honored by something which is contrary to His very nature. In light of this, Paul was always careful to honestly tell people about the costs of following Christ as well as the benefits. Perhaps this is one reason why they were so willing to suffer for Christ.
Paul spoke as one “approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News.” What does it mean to be approved? According to Scripture this refers to someone who “correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV) In other words, a person who is approved, does not twist the Scriptures to make them say what he wants. He is careful to proclaim the message just as God has given it.
Paul writes that he was not trying to please men, but God. The reason is that it is not men, but God who tests our hearts and to whom we will have to give an account. The essence of the gospel message is that we are sinners and under the judgment of God. It is only through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ that we can be saved. These truths can hurt. If we are trying to please men, we might be tempted not to tell them the whole truth, or to change the gospel message. But if we are trying to please God, then we will proclaim the truth regardless of whether people find it pleasing or not.
Flattery was another thing which Paul renounced. We can be sure that the person who flatters does not have the best interests of the other person in mind. Scripture says, “A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.” (Proverbs 26:28)
In addition to rejecting flattery in order to proclaim the gospel, Paul also never used the gospel as a mask for greed. Money or wealth should never be the motivation for proclaiming the gospel. Instead, we should always try to follow the example of Jesus. Scripture says, “ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) We should always be willing to forgo material wealth in order to give others spiritual riches.
Another important principle which Paul followed in proclaiming the gospel was that he did not seek the praise of men. If someone wants the praise of people, he will tell them whatever they want to hear. If, however, he wants what is best for the people, he will tell them the truth even if it is unpopular. Each of us has to make a choice: who will we please? In another place Paul writes, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)